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LEESBURG, Fla - The Sanford River Rats fell to the Leesburg Lightning Monday night, by a final of 4-2 at Buddy Lowe Field.

 

 

The game started off in ominous fashion, as a weather delay pushed the first pitch back by an hour and 17 minutes. Following the delay, Sanford came out swinging in the first, as Dylan Crews (LSU) laced a leadoff double and would score the game’s first run later that inning. Crews said the approach was to be aggressive early in the count.

 

“Attack the fastball early and adjust to off speed later in the counts, that was really just our game plan,” Crews said.

 

Sanford would give up their early lead after Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year Vaun Brown (Florida Southern) hit a two-run home run off Jack Leftwich (UF) in the bottom of the inning.

 

Both starters would settle in after shaky first innings, as Dominic Madonna (North Florida) would pick up seven strikeouts over 3.1 innings of work.

 

The Rats only other run would come in the fourth, as Justin Farmer (FIU) would score on a passed ball, tying the game at two.

 

Leesburg once again responded later in the inning, retaking the lead for good on a sacrifice fly from JD Stubbs (Georgia Gwinett). The Lightning added an insurance run in the seventh on a pinch-hit single from Robbie Scott (North Florida).

 

Tony Rossi Jr. (Undecided) took the loss for the Rats after allowing one run over three innings of relief, while Miles Caba (South Florida State) earned the win after throwing 4.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Zach Henderson (Valdosta) picked up his third save of the season after shutting down the Rats in the ninth.

 

The Rats will look to bounce back on Tuesday night as they head to Bishop Moore to take on the Winter Garden Squeeze.

 

“Just really not take anything for granted… wash this loss away and go in ready to play tomorrow,” Crews said.

 

First pitch from Bishop Moore will be at 7:00.

 

Andrew Pawling (Florida Southern)